Target.



No. 63!,175. Patented Aug. l5, I899. W. PARNALL.

TARGET (Application filed Dec. 80,

(No Model.) 2 Shaets8heet l.

FlGl.

WITNESSES INVENTOR No. 63|,I75. Patented Aug. l5, I899.

W. PARNALL.

TARGET.

(Application filed Dec. 30, 1897.)

(No Model.) 2 sheets-rshoet 2.

WITNESSES A TTOHNE Y8.

I UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

\VILLIAM PARNALL, OF BRISTOL, ENGLAND,- ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO TOM BELL BURNS, OF SAME PLACE.

TA R G ET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 631,175, dated August 15, 1899. Application filed DecemberSO, 1897. fierial in. 664,597. (No model.)

To an whom it mag concern.- Be it known that 1, WILLIAM PARNALL, of Bristol, in the county of Gloucester,England,

have invented a new and Improved Target, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an improvement in targets designed to facilitate the operation of the same and convenience in signaling the result of a shot.

My invention comprises novel features,

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my target in the firing position. Fig. 2 isa front elevation of my target in the signaling position, and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same.

In my device I make use of two targets, one of which has the rings of the usual target marked thereon and the other of which forms a dummy and which has means secured thereto for signaling the location and the character of the shots, one target being raised when the other is lowered.

It is of course understood that the lower portion of my device is to be protected against shots either by being sunk in a trench or by having a wall erected in front thereof.

Upon a suitable base B is placed a framework consisting of the two vertical posts A and A -connected at their upper ends by the cross-bar A, and in addition thereto a post 0, which lies alongside of the post A. The

upper ends of the posts A and O are provided with bearings G, within whichis mounted a shaft J. To this shaft is secured the target K by any suitable means which will prevent 3 its turning upon the shaft. .The shaft J passes through and is rigidly connected to' a slight extension K of one edge of the target, 5 a bar K continuing from said extension and I having a counterweight K adjustablymounti The shaft J has a pinion L seed thereon. cured to the rear end thereof and meshing with the pinion N, mounted on a stud N, immediately beneath the shaft L. Upon this stud N is secured the dummy targetMby its extension M. This extension has an arm M formed as a continuation thereof and carrying a counterweight M which is adjustable thereon. By reason of this construction it is evident that when one target rises the other must fall. The two targets are so placed in relation to each other that when one target is up the other is down, as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. j

The targets themselves may be constructed of alight framework, covered by canvas, or be made of anyother construction desired.

They are so adjusted by means of the coun- 'terweights K and N that the targets are nearly balanced. Preferably the target K is made slightly heavier,s0 that when the catches are released the targetK will drop downward and the dummy M will rise. Upon the outer lower edge of the target K, when the same is in the firing position, is a downward extension K, which engages with a spring 0, so as to be held thereby inaraised. position. This spring is pressed to one sidewhen. the target rises and its upper end springs out so as to engage the lower end of the extension K and thus hold the target in elevated position. Upon the side of the extension K is a catch or tooth K which when the target falls to its lower position, as shown in Fig. 2, engages the tooth upon the pivoted catch P, so that the target is held in the lowermost position. The catch P is normally held in engagement with the tooth K by means of a spring P. The catches are released to free the brackets by means of cords Oand P leading, respectively, to the catches O and P. These cords are connected by one end to the operatinglever Q and are carried by suitable guidepulleys and connected, respectively, with the spring-catch O and the pivoted catch P,'so that both catches may be operated simultaneously by the same lever, and the target is released in whichever position it may be at the time.

The dummy target M has an arm R pivoted to the center thereof and carrying a plate S, which is of a color contrasting with the color of the dummy M. This target also has a ring T placed concentric with its center and provided with a number of recesses or holes T, adapted to be engaged by a projection or pin upon the rear side of the arm B. This arm has sufficient spring to permit the projection being raised out of the holes T and the arm swung to any position desired. \Vhen released in proper position, the projection at the rear of the arm R will enter one of the holes T and hold the arm in that position. This arm is preferably provided with a counterweight R at its rear end. The plate S is provided with a flap S, hinged thereto and colored upon one side to correspond with the color of the plate S, but upon its opposite side colored in contrast thereto. \Vhen this flap is in one position, as shown in Fig. 1, it will not be noticeable from adistance, but when swung to the other position, as shown in Fig. 2, it will be quite noticeable. This effect will be increased by having that portion of the plate S which is covered by the flap when in one position colored to correspond with the adjacent side of the flap, so that when it is swung to the position shown in Fig. 2 the figu re which will be outlined upon the plate is twice the size of the flap. This maybe used in signaling either the location of the shot or the character-that is, whether it is a plain bulls-eye that is, in the outer portion of the bulls-eyeor a central shot or one located near the center of the bulls-eye.

By the means for counterbalancing the targets herein described it is possible to make the targets so that they will operate very quickly and with the expenditure of very little force. It is preferred that the target K should be slightly heavier, so that as soon as released it will commence to sink. It is possible by this means to make the target operate more quickly and with less expenditure of force than by any other.

Having thus fully described my invention,

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. An indicating mechanism for targets, comprising a frame having a lever pivoted centrally thereon and adjustable in various angular positions, and a plate carried by said lever.

2. An indicating mechanism for targets, comprising a frame having a lever pivoted centrally thereon and adjustable in various angular positions, a plate carried by said 1ever, and a hinged signal upon said plate, having one side colored to correspond with that of the plate, and the other side of a contrasting color.

3. A target comprising a framework having two upright posts on one side, and one upright post on the other side, two frames mounted to swing about centers at the upper ends of the two posts, connecting mechanism gearing the two frames to swing in opposite directions, a catch arranged near the bottom of the two posts, another catch arranged near the top of the single post for holding the target to both its positions and a cord with pulley and operating-lever for releasing the lockingcatches, substantially as shown and described.

4. An indicating mechanism for targets, comprising a dummy target, an arm pivoted centrally thereon and provided with a locking-pin, the target having a concentric series of holes adapted to be engaged by said pin, and an indicating'plate carried by said arm.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIAM PARNALTI.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM MAY PARNALL, GEORGE EDWARD NINTEN. 

